Pediatric dentistry
Space maintainers after early loss of a baby tooth
Baby teeth hold the space for the permanent teeth behind them. If one is lost well before its time, the neighbouring teeth tip and drift into the gap — leaving too little room later on.
Why a gap does not simply stay a gap
Teeth do not sit statically in the jaw. When a neighbour is missing, they move towards the gap. With baby molars this can happen within a few months.
The permanent tooth then erupts into a space that is too narrow, comes through crooked, or does not come through at all. What a small space maintainer could have prevented becomes a more involved orthodontic problem later.
When one is assessed
Not every gap needs one. What matters is how long it is until the tooth would have been replaced naturally. Reasons to assess include:
- a baby molar had to be removed because of deep decay
- a tooth was lost in a dental accident
- a baby tooth is missing with no permanent successor visible
- the gap has visibly started to close already
What a space maintainer looks like
Fixed
A small loop attached to a neighbouring tooth holds the gap open. It cannot be lost and barely affects speech.
Removable
A small plate that has to be worn and cleaned. Useful when several teeth are missing or a fixed anchor is not possible.
Day to day
A space maintainer needs a little extra care when brushing, because plaque collects more easily around its edges. At routine appointments it is checked for fit, and for whether the permanent tooth is on its way.
As soon as the successor comes through, the space maintainer is removed. Regular preventive care matters particularly during this period.
Common questions
Does fitting it hurt?
No. A fixed space maintainer usually only needs an impression or a scan, and fitting it takes a few minutes.
How long does it stay in?
Until the permanent tooth comes through. That can be months or several years, depending on which tooth is missing and how old your child is.
Related treatments
Baby tooth root canal
When decay reaches the nerve, treating the pulp can keep a baby tooth in place until it falls out naturally.
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Dental trauma
A broken or knocked-out tooth is time-critical. What counts in the first few minutes — and afterwards.
Learn more
Prevention & cavity care
Regular check-ups, cleaning and age-appropriate coaching, so that cavities have as little chance as possible to start.
Learn more
Questions about space maintainers?
Whether the space needs holding depends on which tooth is missing and on the child's age.